Paladins & Protest: Deep Historical Roots of Furman Student Protests

Finding its genesis in the inquisitiveness both Dr. Brandon Inabinet and his students, the “Paladins and Protest” CLP explored the various free speech and advocacy issues which framing university life at Furman in distant and more recent times. The CLP provided a platform for understanding history of protest at Furman but also equipped student with an impetus for more active participation. Dr. Inabinet laid the groundwork for his discussion with students by overviewing historical periods of protest and then prompting student to articulate how their classroom work around the subject work reflects historical and perennial questions of the American university as a microcosm and laboratory of pluralistic democracy.  The lecture and discussion revealed Furman’s rich history of protest that included; arguing about slavery and women’s rights; professors of the early 20th century being fired by trustees, the confiscation of  the Echo, nude displays and drag shows, controversies surrounding YikYak, and cancel culture schemes.